Granulated soap dispenser



April 27, 1954 w. MERTENS 2,676,734

- GRANULATED SOAP DISPENSER Filed May 29, 1952 I i I I I r I I ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 27, 1954 UNITED STATES- 'GRANULATED SOAP DISPENSER Leon W. Mertens, Fort Worth, Tex.

Application May 29, 1952, Serial No. 290,695

1 Claim.

This invention relates to dispensers for granular material and has reference to improvements in a dispenser for measuring equal amounts of granulated soap, powdered detergents and the like.

In certain washing operations, such as Washing dishes, where the same amount of water is used time after time, it is apparent that a dispenser capable of repeatedly measuring and dispensing the same amount of granulated soap or the like would be desirable. However, the amount of soap desired by one user for a quantity of water differs from that of another user, and the capacity of the pan or sink of one user will also differ. It is an object of the invention to provide a dis penser of the described class capable of repeatedly dispensing equal amounts of granular material in accordance with the amounts required by the individual user.

Another object of the invention is to provide a dispenser of the character referred to having readily accessible means for regulatin the repeated amounts of granular material to be dis- 7 pensed.

Another object of the invention is to provide a dispenser of the character referred to capable of mass production methods, such as by injection molding methods.

A further object of the invention is to provide a unique cover which will not fall off the container when the dispenser is inverted, even though the cover is not securely attached thereto.

The invention will be more readily understood by reference to the following description and the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view of a dispenser embodying the features of the invention.

Figure 2 is a sectional view of the dispenser shown in Figure 1 and showing the same in its tilted or dispensing position.

Figure 3 is a broken sectional view taken on line 33 of Figur 1.

Figure 4 is a broken sectional view taken on line t-4 of Figure 3, and

Figure 5 is a broken sectional view taken on lines 55 of Figure l.

The form of the invention shown includes a rectangular container it having front and back walls II and I 2, side walls !3', and a bottom it. A downwardly and outwardly projecting flange I5 may be provided around the bottom of the container it so as to provide an ornamental base. With reference to Figure 1, it will be noted that the end of the bottom it extends forwardly beyond the front wall I I, as at It, and that an up- 2 wardly directed spout ll is provided thereabove, and which spout includes an outwardly and angularly formed lip It of relatively large size.

The upper outer edges of the side walls 13 are provided with laterally projecting ribs it adapted to engage downwardly and inwardly formed flanges 20 on opposite sides of a cover 2|. The rearward depending flange 22 of the cover 2i is straight and fits against the upper outer surface of the back wall i2, and the upper end of the front wall i i extends above the side walls l3, as at 23', so as to provide a stop and closure for the forward end of the cover 2|. A transverse rib 2 3 may be provided on the inner surface of the front wall i I and arranged to frictionally enage the lower forward surface of the cover 2| for sealing the granulated contents 25 in the container ill during the tilting operation, hereinafter referred to.

Within the lower forward portion of the container, and spaced from the front wall I I, there is a vertical'transverse baflle 26 which extends upwardly from the bottom i d higher than the lower end of the front wall which is spaced from the bottom extension it. The described front wall H and bafile 25 spacing provides a trapchamber 21 which is part of the construction for measuring the desired equal amounts of granular material 25 to be dispensed. The relative position of the lower end of the front wall H with respect to the bottom extension It is cap-able of being varied by means of vertically slidable panel 28 frictionally engaged between vertical ribs 28 on opposite sides of the spout I? and forwardly of a the front wall H. A forwardly projecting finger grip as is provided on the upper end of the vertically slidable panel 28 and is accessible through the described relatively large lip it of the vertical spout ll.

In operation, the container i9 is filled, or partially filled, with the granular material 25 to be dispensed after adjusting the lower edge of the vertically slidable panel 28 relative to the bottom extension l6. By gravity, the granular material 25 flows into the lower end of the spout ii, and by tilting the container lo forwardly to an inverted. or nearly inverted position the material 25 in the spent it will be dispensed outwardly over the lip d8, as shown in Fig ure 2. The amount of material other than the measured amount will fall toward the inverted top 2| which is closed against spilling. By trial, the user may readily determine the proper vertical adjustment of the slidable panel 28 for measuring the amount of granular material desired, and after the same has been determined the slidable panel is left in place for repeated operation.

The container is opened and closed by sliding the cover 2| rearwardly and forwardly, and it will be noted that the cover will remain in place throughout the tilting operation even though the same is not attached to the cover by hinges or the like.

The invention is not limited to the construction herein shown and described, but may be made in many ways within the scope of the appended claim.

What is claimed is:

A dispenser for granulated materials such as soap or the like, comprising a rectangular open top container having front, rear, and side walls together with a bottom thereacross, a removable cover over the top of said container, the lower end of said front wall being spaced from said bottom, a baiiie within said container and projecting upwardly from said bottom and extending above said lower end of said front wall, said bafiie being positioned inwardly of and spaced from said front wall, an extension forming a part of said bottom and extending forwardly of said front wall, a vertical spout extending upwardly from said extension, and a vertically slidable panel shorter than the height of said container and located adjacent said front wall, means frictionally holding the sides of said slidable panel against said side walls and whereby said panel may be adapted to vary the opening thus formed between the lower end of said front wall and said bottom.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 268,313 Stokes et al Nov. 28, 1882 955,480 Shea Apr. 19, 1910 2,309,234 Bonander Jan. 26, 1943 2,335,363 Shelton Nov. 30, 1943 2,425,142 Brubaker Aug. 5, 1947 2,431,786 Williamson Dec. Z, 19%? 2,538,336 Smith l- Jan. 16, 1951 

